08/26/2026
Embrace Pressure. Choose to do hard things.
You can’t tell from the photo, but this was the most limited space for interactions with those we visited that day. A helicopter was flying loudly overhead and there was noise from an adjacent correctional intuition, plus a few of the justice involved were apprehensive about meeting two tiny mini horses.
Despite all that, Muffin and Mila the Therapy Horses showed up as their authentic selves. If they were bothered by the smaller space, the helicopter sound vibrating off the cement, and then those we were here to visit were a bit being dysregulated, they let us know.
Some would say to cancel the visit, the environment isn’t right, the uncontrollable variables could be too much for the horses.
However, our team saw it a different way. This was the perfect opportunity to show how we train our mini horses to regulate when presented with stress or external pressure that bothers them (this is not new to our horses but an extension of the training they have already received). It’s easy to have it all together when everything is happening as planned but this is not realistic to life.
Our team demonstrated in real time, what does dysregulating look like, how do we obtain regulation in the presence of stress? How do we return to baseline when thrown off balance? Trauma- Informed Equine Assisted Learning TI-EAL focuses on how rhythmic repetitive stimuli helps the brain reorganize and regulate the horse and individual.
Moving a horse in a small predictable circle at a walk helps the horse settle and co-regulate off the handlers’ calm energy. Reassure with vocal cues with steady tone and cadence helps the horse to know that the danger she is perceiving is not something to hyper-focus on. Taking a break is also good way to reset and process things happening around us.
This isn’t petting horses and feeling good. This is teaching one to regulate and return to baseline when thrown off balance. We are teaching resilience which far outlasts the initial interaction.
Skills we cover in our TI-EAL
-Grounding to senses
-Breathing exercises
- Thinking versus reacting mindset
- You grow what you sow. What is your mind dwelling on?
-Being present
-Developing Hardiness and Grit
Learn more about the work we do at: https://hoofbeatranch.org/
